Hot and Bothered

Vanessa is joined for a small bonus conversation by Nathalie Folkerts, the director of our upcoming summer camp: Calling All Magnificent People. They explore how Nathalie's background in political organizing found a home in building our camp and discuss some of behind-the-scenes dreaming and decision making that's been happening. If you haven't yet signed up for camp, you can do so on our website...

There is finally news of Lydia and Wickham in Chapters 49 and 50 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss and debate everyone’s reactions to the news. They tackle again a few favorite topics: Mrs. Bennet’s silliness, Mr. Bennet’s wry detachment, and Jane’s naiveté. Dr. Alexander Wakelam joins us at the end of the episode to teach us about gambling and debt in 18th century England. Our n...

We're in the middle of a Patreon drive here on Hot and Bothered, trying to increase our membership by 200 patrons. One of the wonderful things you can find on our Patreon is bonus interviews and extended interviews with experts! We're making this conversation with the brilliant Jennifer Regan-Lefebvre public so you get a sense of what that perk sounds like. Jennifer Regan-Lefebvre is a historian o...

Lizzy and the Gardiners return to Longbourn in Chapters 47 and 48 of Pride and Prejudice . There is no news of Lydia and Wickham yet, but we are reunited with the rest of the Bennets and their theories and stress about the whole situation. Vanessa and Lauren discuss Mr. Bennet’s self-deprecating humor and Mrs. Bennet’s obsession with clothes. Dr. Kimberly A. Hamlin joins us at the end of the episo...

Darcy and Lizzy’s budding friendship (or is it more?) comes to an abrupt end when Lizzy gets a letter from Jane in Chapter 46 of Pride and Prejudice . Lydia and Wickham have run away together and so Lizzy and the Gardiner’s must leave immediately for Longbourn. Vanessa and Lauren discuss whether this plot point counts as a ‘kidnapping’ and whether marriage to Wickham is the best ending for Lydia.&...

Happy Valentine's Day, everyone! We're taking time today to share a short interview with Charyti Reiter, Director of Clinical Services at On The Rise . Over the month of February, we're hoping to raise $10k to support their incredible organization. If you haven't already, please check out our fundraiser . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We finally meet Georgiana Darcy in Chapters 44 and 45 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss the awkwardness of the Darcy family and Austen's emerging definition of love as Lizzy begins to fall for Darcy at Pemberley. Dr. Chloe Angyal joins us at the end of the episode to discuss the invention of the enemies to lovers trope and its imprint on more modern romcoms. Be sure to check out...

Elizabeth and the Gardiners arrive at Pemberley House in Chapter 43 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss the picture of benevolent aristocracy painted by Darcy's housekeeper, Mrs. Reynolds. They also discuss Elizabeth’s reaction to Pemberley and to seeing Darcy again.  Darrick Borowski joins us at the end of the episode to discuss the architecture and aesthetics of Pemberley. O...

We're taking a quick pause in reading Pride and Prejudice to deep dive into the life and ideas of Mary Wollstonecraft. We've been bringing up Wollstonecraft a lot throughout this series, wondering how Pride and Prejudice reflects (or rejects) the feminist ideas of the era. This week, Lauren talks to Dr. Charlotte Gordon , author of Romantic Outlaws: The Extraordinary Lives of Mary Wollstonecraft a...

Beloved co-host of Harry Potter and the Sacred Text , Matt Potts, released his book Forgiveness: An Alternative Account a few weeks ago and it is so! good!! We're very excited to bring you an exclusive excerpt from the book - read by Matt himself. You can find the book wherever books are sold, or snag a signed copy from our website ! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Elizabeth and Mr. Bennet butt heads about Lydia in Chapters 40, 41 and 42 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss Mr. Bennet’s parenting, the original sin of the Bennet marriage, and the power of secrets in these chapters. Joanne Begiato joins us at the end of the episode to discuss regency ideas of parenting and family. Our next episode is on January 13th, when we’ll be joined by...

This week we're sharing a special bonus interview with Dr. Emily Nagoski to talk about Lydia and the cultural norms around sexuality in regency England. Emily is a best-selling author, sex educator, and the host of a new podcast – Come As You Are . Stay tuned to the end of the episode for an excerpt of her episode "The Science of Horniness." Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...

We’re finally headed back to Hertfordshire in Chapter 37, 38 and 39 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss the way Darcy’s letter has changed Lizzy and Lydia’s vulgarity. Kristin Samuelian joins us at the end of the episode to discuss the parallels between Lydia and Princess Caroline of Wales. Our next episode is on December 30th, when we’ll be reading Chapters 40 – 42.&nbsp...

Mr. Darcy finds Lizzy and hands her a letter in Chapters 35 and 36 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss the ‘romance’ of Darcy’s letter and the way in which it triggers a change in Lizzy. Joanna Rakoff joins us at the end of the episode to discuss coming-of-age novels and the history of letters in literature. Our next episode is on December 16th, when we’ll be reading Chapters...

Mr. Darcy is banging down the door to declare his love to Lizzie in Chapter 33 and 34 of Pride and Prejudice . Vanessa and Lauren discuss the ‘civility’ of Darcy’s declaration and why it doesn’t work out with Colonel Fitzwilliam and Lizzie.  Claudia L. Johnson joins us at the end of the episode to discuss Jane Austen’s politics. Our next episode is on December 2nd, when we’ll be reading Chapt...

Vanessa is joined by Dana Schwartz to chat about their upcoming Rebecca pilgrimage and the theme of haunting. Find out more here.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mr. Darcy and Colonel Fitzwilliam have arrived at Rosings, bringing a little fun and intrigue to the Collins party. Colonel Fitzwilliam proves to be a charming new acquaintance while Darcy continues to be his awkward self. Vanessa and Lauren discuss whether Darcy and Lizzy are flirting yet and Lady Catherine’s narcissism.  Margaret H. Willison joins us at the end of the episode to discuss the...

We're taking a brief break from Pride and Prejudice, to read one of the most popular romance books of our current moment: It Ends with Us by Colleen Hoover. Vanessa is joined by former co-host of Twilight in Quarantine, Julia Argy, to dive into the novel. Together they discuss the abuse narrative in the text, the love story at the heart of it, and why they think this book is having a moment. This...

The Hunsford party is invited to Rosings in Chapter 29 of Pride and Prejudice. Lizzy finally has the chance to meet the much-discussed Lady Catherine de Bourgh and must answer all of her impertinent questions. Vanessa and Lauren discuss whether to read Lady Catherine generously and what she reflects about the power of the rich. Dr. Hannah McGregor joins us at the end of the episode to discuss sent...

Lizzy Bennet hits the road in Chapters 26 and 28 of Pride and Prejudice. Change is in the air in Hertfordshire – Wickham is pursuing something new, Jane is with her aunt and uncle in London, and Lizzy heads to Hunsford to see “the happy couple” (that is to say, Charlotte and Collins). In this episode, Vanessa and Lauren explore the difference between Charlotte and Wickham and role of ‘lo...

We're in the middle of a Patreon drive here on Hot and Bothered, trying to increase our membership to 1000 patrons. One of the wonderful things you can find on our Patreon is extended interviews with experts! We're making this conversation with the brilliant Claudia Johnson public so you get a sense of what that perk sounds like. Claudia Johnson is the Murray Professor of English Literature at Pri...

Jane and Elizabeth have a heart to heart about Bingley in Chapters 24 and 25 of Pride and Prejudice. Caroline has written Jane a letter saying that her party won’t be returning to Netherfield. But you know who is in town? Everyone’s favorite Aunt and Uncle: Mr. and Mrs. Gardiner. In this episode, Vanessa and Lauren continue their conversations about class, love, and marriage and look closely...

After Elizabeth’s refusal, Mr. Collins quickly turns his attention to Charlotte Lucas in Chapters 21 through 23 of Pride and Prejudice. And Lizzy isn’t the only Bennet sister who is suddenly lacking a suitor – Mr. Bingley an his party have left for London with no promise of returning. In this episode, Vanessa and Lauren explore Charlotte’s approach to marriage and poor Jane’s broken heart. Dr...

Mr. Collins finally makes his move in Chapters 19 and 20 of of Pride and Prejudice. He pulls Lizzy aside for his grand proposal… and can’t seem to understand it when Lizzy flatly refuses. Vanessa and Lauren explore different readings of Collins in this scene and discuss the ways that Pride and Prejudice offers a mirror for modern feminist readers.  Dr. Talia Schaffer joins us at the end of th...

We're taking a quick break from reading Pride and Prejudice to watch the 2005 movie adaptation with one of our favorite podcasts, Veronica Mars Investigations . Vanessa is joined by Helen Zaltzman and Jenny Owen Youngs to dig through the movie, comparing it along the way to the BBC mini-series and, of course, the original text. They ask important questions like: How does Elizabeth hear Darcy's ins...